God or Satan? - 2Sam. 24:1; 1Ch. 21:1

"Once again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he caused David to harm them by taking a census." 2Sam. 24:1

"Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the Israelites." 1Ch. 21:1

So was it God or Satan who instructed David to take the census? I guess theologically one could say that it doesn't really matter. For Satan to have caused David to sin, he must have had permission from God -- chicken or the egg... In the end, this really isn't the point of the story anyway. The lesson is in David's response: simply taking responsibility for the fact that he sinned, and then repenting. God honors this. David describes his perspective well in today's Psalm: "Sing to the Lord, all you Godly ones! Praise his holy name. His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! ... You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent." Ps. 30:5, 11-12

God, keep my perspective more like David's. One that ceases the constant questioning and reasoning, and simply understands the sovereignty and majesty of an almighty God.

Today's reading: 2Sam. 24; 1Ch. 21; Ps. 30; 1Th. 2